Diancistrus niger Schwarzhans, Møller & Nielsen, 2005
Dark coralbrotula
Diancistrus niger
photo by W. Schwarzhans et al.

Family:  Dinematichthyidae (Viviparous brotula)
Max. size:  4.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); 4.4 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 10 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: (Vogelkop Peninsula, Irian Jaya, New Guinea (Indonesia).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 69-76; Anal soft rays: 52-59; Vertebrae: 41-43. This species is characterized by the following: vertebrae 11+30-32=41-43, dorsal fin rays 69-76, anal fin rays 52-59; large eyes (3.0-3.6% SL); outer pseudoclasper large, broad, ear-lobe shaped, opening ventrally; inner pseudoclasper a fleshy appendix at anterior-inner rim of outer pseudoclasper, without supporter; no scales on operculum; head is compressed, blunt; otoliths elongate, ratio otolith length: height 2.3, anterior and posterior tips of otolith almost equally pointed; color dark grey to black when preserved (Ref. 57884). Description: Characterized by depth of body at anal fin origin 20.0-22.8 (mean=21.0) % SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Solitary inhabitant of coral reef crevices between about 2-10 m depth, cryptic (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 15 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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